Heroism and The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge
I believe it is generally agreed that Shawn is as un-heroic as it gets. He's cowardly, falls short of his word, and is hypocritical as well. *shudders* I tried to like him, truly, I did. But it didn't work. What does this say about Synge's perception of Shawn and similar staunch Cathloics?? I can't find what Synge's religion was, but was was interested in Darwin, so maybe Shawn is his way of going against the staunch Cathloics? Wouldn't this cause issues in Ireland where they fought against the Church of England and Protastantism for Cathloicism?
Christy, despite my inherent dislike of the fellow, follows many of the elements of the heroic code. He finds/attempts to find his place in society, wants to be recognized, persues prizes, fame, etc.; nor does he want to loose face/honor, at least in Pegeen's eyes. Yet I have difficulty seeing Christy as a hero. The comentary states that "the likes of Christy Mahon are appropriate contemporary heroes rather than the truly heroic figures from Ireland's past" (22).
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
In Which King Lear is Concerned
Heroism in King Lear:
I think it depends on personal taste in this case--who one qualifies as a hero and who one does not. Thus, I will attempt to base my determinations off of the "Heroic Code," which can be found on Mr. Trotter's website in regards to Greek Mythology. Here (hopefully) is a direct link to the document: http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/Portals/7/Language%20Arts/Trotter/Myth/HeroicElementsr.pdf
My personal favorite character is Albany. He is not inflicted by hubris and does not "want to loose face or honor." He ignores pressure to fight for his interests (how to exploit and get the most land and money possible) as many other characters are. Albany pursues prizes, but maybe not in the traditional sense. He is not worries about fame or money, but instead prizes respect, love, and loyalty. He makes peace with himself and finds his "identity and role in being part of a warrior society."
Edgar is possibly one of the most "heroic" heroes in Lear. He meets many (if not all) of the qualifications under the Heroic Code. I personally have issues with the idea that one must "Pursue prizes, fame, and a division of spoils" to be a hero. This can have both positive and negative connotations, but I tend to identify more immediately the negative. However, he does "pursue...fame." A division of spoils for Edgar that he seeks is recognition that it was not he, Edgar, who committed dastardly deeds--a clearing of his name.
Even, in a way, Edmund qualifies as a hero. Although he does not meet all elements of the heroic code (he doesn't seem too concerned with loosing his "face or honor"), he does meet others, such as finding his "place in a warrior society", "desiring to be recognized", and a "quest for immortality" (which can be interpreted as power, as power=ability to make impact (positive or negative)=being remembered (good or bad)=a form of immortality). He definitely pursues prizes, fame, and a division of the spoils (ok...he wants all the spoils). Edmund is, in a way, the antihero.
Thus, King Lear seems to epitomize the classical hero, one who knows where they belong in a warrior society (generally being a warrior himself), desires to be recognized and immortal, values face and honor, follows what he does best as well as the spoils and fame, and attempts to follow the heroic code. The women are generally depicted as being corrupt and non-heroic, except for Cordelia, who is extremely static. Thus, sheroes are a non-issue. I couldn't help but notice that the heroic code is geared towards males.
Whould the heroic code be different for girls??
Then...did Shakespeare, or those in the Elizabethan era, value classicalism, or at least traditional values such as face, honor, the strife of excellence?
I think it depends on personal taste in this case--who one qualifies as a hero and who one does not. Thus, I will attempt to base my determinations off of the "Heroic Code," which can be found on Mr. Trotter's website in regards to Greek Mythology. Here (hopefully) is a direct link to the document: http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/Portals/7/Language%20Arts/Trotter/Myth/HeroicElementsr.pdf
My personal favorite character is Albany. He is not inflicted by hubris and does not "want to loose face or honor." He ignores pressure to fight for his interests (how to exploit and get the most land and money possible) as many other characters are. Albany pursues prizes, but maybe not in the traditional sense. He is not worries about fame or money, but instead prizes respect, love, and loyalty. He makes peace with himself and finds his "identity and role in being part of a warrior society."
Edgar is possibly one of the most "heroic" heroes in Lear. He meets many (if not all) of the qualifications under the Heroic Code. I personally have issues with the idea that one must "Pursue prizes, fame, and a division of spoils" to be a hero. This can have both positive and negative connotations, but I tend to identify more immediately the negative. However, he does "pursue...fame." A division of spoils for Edgar that he seeks is recognition that it was not he, Edgar, who committed dastardly deeds--a clearing of his name.
Even, in a way, Edmund qualifies as a hero. Although he does not meet all elements of the heroic code (he doesn't seem too concerned with loosing his "face or honor"), he does meet others, such as finding his "place in a warrior society", "desiring to be recognized", and a "quest for immortality" (which can be interpreted as power, as power=ability to make impact (positive or negative)=being remembered (good or bad)=a form of immortality). He definitely pursues prizes, fame, and a division of the spoils (ok...he wants all the spoils). Edmund is, in a way, the antihero.
Thus, King Lear seems to epitomize the classical hero, one who knows where they belong in a warrior society (generally being a warrior himself), desires to be recognized and immortal, values face and honor, follows what he does best as well as the spoils and fame, and attempts to follow the heroic code. The women are generally depicted as being corrupt and non-heroic, except for Cordelia, who is extremely static. Thus, sheroes are a non-issue. I couldn't help but notice that the heroic code is geared towards males.
Whould the heroic code be different for girls??
Then...did Shakespeare, or those in the Elizabethan era, value classicalism, or at least traditional values such as face, honor, the strife of excellence?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
In Which Christopher Columbus is Concerned
I was reading an article on Christopher Columbus, or, more accurately, Columbus Day and the representation of Columbus throughout different schools. Some schools are still teaching the wonderful, romanticized
"Columbus discovered America in 1492
With three small ships and a very brave crew,
He found this land for me and you!
Columbus discovered America in 1492
With the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria
He found this land for me and you!"
(What I was taught in kindergarten). But other schools are teaching the definitely darker side of Columbus. The diseases. The stealing of gold. The marauding of resources. The like. In fact, one school even held Columbus on "trial," and he was condemned to life in prison.
I found it interesting. The last line of the article, a quote from Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, sums it up justly:
"Heroism and villainy are just two sides of the same coin."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33266425/ns/us_news-education//
Sunday, October 4, 2009
In Which Sheroes are Concerned
I have been reading an anthology on Girls in myths around the world and will probably add various other posts related to this:
I noticed that many of the girls (sheroes) prevail not in physically awesome deeds like Hercules (although some do), most are instead heroic due to their persistence and wit and ability to learn.
Many of us became aware of the "original" version of Little Red Riding Hood in American Literature (The cute little fairy tale became a story to keep girls from sleeping with strange men). Yet, even that version is not the most original. The oldest the editor could find had what we were told, but more. In the end, Little Red Riding Hood is traveling yet again to her Grandmother's when a wolf attempts to stop her. She keeps going to her Grandmother's house, where she tells her Grandmother about the wolf. They prepare themselves with an axe and other weapons. When the Wolf arrives, they kill him themselves. The girls learn from their first experience and save themselves the second time.
There are many stories of the sheroe finding herself in an unenviable position and using her brain and wit to get out of the situation, and often finds herself in a better place than when she started.
Thus, it leaves one to wonder...are the qualities of a HERO different from a SHEROE? Are they different because of perceived differences? or do they hold true in life. That due to actual differences between men and women, they use what comes naturally to them to do what must be done?
I noticed that many of the girls (sheroes) prevail not in physically awesome deeds like Hercules (although some do), most are instead heroic due to their persistence and wit and ability to learn.
Many of us became aware of the "original" version of Little Red Riding Hood in American Literature (The cute little fairy tale became a story to keep girls from sleeping with strange men). Yet, even that version is not the most original. The oldest the editor could find had what we were told, but more. In the end, Little Red Riding Hood is traveling yet again to her Grandmother's when a wolf attempts to stop her. She keeps going to her Grandmother's house, where she tells her Grandmother about the wolf. They prepare themselves with an axe and other weapons. When the Wolf arrives, they kill him themselves. The girls learn from their first experience and save themselves the second time.
There are many stories of the sheroe finding herself in an unenviable position and using her brain and wit to get out of the situation, and often finds herself in a better place than when she started.
Thus, it leaves one to wonder...are the qualities of a HERO different from a SHEROE? Are they different because of perceived differences? or do they hold true in life. That due to actual differences between men and women, they use what comes naturally to them to do what must be done?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)